3 locals named in Fiji Bati squad to face PNG Kumuls
There were supposed to be 12 local-based players going to join the remainder of the Fiji Bati players for the Test against Papua New Guinea in May but only three have made the cut.
Osea Sadrau, youngster Tikiko Noke and Timoci Ratulolodabea would be leaving later in the month to join the Fiji Bati team which would train for a week and then face Papua New Guinea.
The test will be a curtain raiser for ANZAC Day Test between Australia and New Zealand and doubles up as a qualifier to the Four Nations.
Sadrau said this is a chance given to the local to prove their worth.
“This is a big achievement for me. With rugby league it is very rare for local based players to get a chance for Test matches and I hope that this means that in the future more local based boys will force their way into the team,” Sadrau said.
“The test itself will not be an easy one. PNG is a tough team to play and league is somewhat their national sport.”
Noke, 20, was part of the Fiji Bati 2013 World Cup team, the only local player to make the team.
“I did not get much chance to play during the World Cup so I am hoping to make the most of the chance that I have been given,” Noke said.
“I am physically and mentally prepared and hopefully get to be named in the run-on team."
Ratulolodabea, 19, is hoping that the Test is a chance for him to earn a living as a professional footballer.
“It has been my dream to play the sport at a professional level. It will be tough but I know that I will get a chance to play for the Bati.
The Bati take on PNG on May 2 in Australia.
Osea Sadrau, youngster Tikiko Noke and Timoci Ratulolodabea would be leaving later in the month to join the Fiji Bati team which would train for a week and then face Papua New Guinea.
The test will be a curtain raiser for ANZAC Day Test between Australia and New Zealand and doubles up as a qualifier to the Four Nations.
Sadrau said this is a chance given to the local to prove their worth.
“This is a big achievement for me. With rugby league it is very rare for local based players to get a chance for Test matches and I hope that this means that in the future more local based boys will force their way into the team,” Sadrau said.
“The test itself will not be an easy one. PNG is a tough team to play and league is somewhat their national sport.”
Noke, 20, was part of the Fiji Bati 2013 World Cup team, the only local player to make the team.
“I did not get much chance to play during the World Cup so I am hoping to make the most of the chance that I have been given,” Noke said.
“I am physically and mentally prepared and hopefully get to be named in the run-on team."
Ratulolodabea, 19, is hoping that the Test is a chance for him to earn a living as a professional footballer.
“It has been my dream to play the sport at a professional level. It will be tough but I know that I will get a chance to play for the Bati.
The Bati take on PNG on May 2 in Australia.
OURCE: FIJI TIMES
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